summary: this is a spin-off from a movie (can anyone find the title?, lol), starring Billy Russo and Frank Castle. In this AU, Billy isn’t a psycho, Frank’s family is alive, and they both really like coffee. And, you know, Y/N.
pairings: Frank Castle x Reader, Billy Russo x Reader (actually both of them, I promise)
warnings: nada
a/n: we reread this last night and we love it so we’re finishing it :) (with @pitaparka, because she very heavily co-wrote this)
PART 1, PART 2, PART 3
Smoothing out the wrinkles in your new dress, you did a small spin in front of your phone.
“Are you sure this looks okay? Nope, not okay. Good. Does this look good?”
“Y/N,” Morgan’s voice came through the phone, her bored expression reflected on the screen through your FaceTime call.
“You look great. Your makeup is amazing, your outfit makes you look like a model or something, and your hair... I guess, it could use some work.”
“Morgan,” You scowled, a hand immediately finding a way up to your curls, desperately trying to make them look better than they already did.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding… kinda. Look, he’s gonna love you, one way or another. You’re a jaw dropper, baby!” Rolling your eyes at how quickly she could turn an insult to a compliment, you fixed your lipstick in your mirror, “You’re ridiculous.”
You could see her shrug, a grin still present on her features, “Hey, I’m not the one telling myself that I won’t fuck the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, first chance I get.”
“I never said that I won't... just that I probably shouldn’t.”
“Like I said before, and I'm the ridiculous one?”
As your phone buzzed incessantly with a call you hurriedly grabbed it, “Ahh, he’s calling me, I'll talk to you later.”
“You better tell me everything! I mean it, Y/N—”
Ending the call before she could finish, you quickly switched to the other line, “Hello?”
“Hey you.” Upon hearing Billy’s voice, a smile immediately found its way onto your lips.
“I have a favor to ask.”
As you grabbed your coat and purse and moved towards the door, you nodded despite him not being able to see you, “What’s up?”
“Could we meet at the restaurant instead? I hate to do this to you but the meeting I’m in is running a little behind and if I pick you up we might miss our reservation completely...” Billy’s voice came out rushed, a hushed tone to his words.
“That’s fine. I’ll see you there?”
He chuckled, “Of course”
You grabbed your keys, a small smile on your lips as you gently shut your apartment door behind you, hanging up.
__
For what seemed to be the hundredth time in the last hour, the waitress wandered over to you, a sympathetic look on her face, “Nothing yet?”
You checked your phone in hopes to see something, anything, hopefully a text to let you know why you were sitting there alone. When you found nothing, you shook your head, dejected, “Can I just have the check, please?”
“It’s on me.”
“You don’t have to do that—”
The woman rested a hand on the ten dollar bill, an understanding expression on her face, “I want to, hun. It’s the least I can do.”
You sighed, “Thank you.”
Getting out of there, you sat in your car for a moment. You could, theoretically, wait in your car to see if he ever showed up. Or, you know, just go home. But you didn’t want to do either of those things.
So, instead, you got out, walked the short distance to the pub, found a seat at the corner of the bar, and began knocking back drinks.
Or, your version of knocking back drinks anyway. It was more like, drink.
You were upset, sure, but you didn’t want to be hung over. Even as you tried to sip at the glass in front of you, you couldn’t help but scowl at it.
“Not an alcohol fan, huh?”
You turned, then you paused.
You were pleasantly surprised to find Frank sitting down next to you, an almost empty beer in his grasp.
“Oh. Hi.”
He smiled, offering you a slight nod, “Hey there, sweetheart. What brings you here?”
You scoffed lightly, your mood getting the better of you, “What, now I’m not allowed to have a drink?”
“You are, y’just… don’t seem to like it very much.”
“Oh,” You paused, swirling the liquid around in your glass but never taking a sip from it, “You’re not wrong. I just… didn’t want to go home.”
“So… here?”
“So here.”
The two of you remained silent for a moment, before Frank spoke, “Hey, you hungry?”
You smiled slightly, nodding, “I could eat.”
Abandoning the almost full drink in your hands, you left the bar with Frank.
__
When you got there, you couldn’t help but smile as you looked around, taking in the red and white booths and the hardwood panelling on the walls. The fluorescent lights were a bit harsh, but the kind looking night staff made up for it.
“I have to admit, I’m feeling a tad bit overdressed.” You said, Frank guiding you to a booth in the back. You could picture him, eating by himself on a Saturday morning, watching the sun rise, pancakes, toast, bacon, and eggs put together on a plate and served with a smile.
Frank chuckled, shaking his head, “A little, but you do look beautiful.”
You smiled, “You say that but the only other thing you’ve seen me in is my uniform.”
“Which, I gotta say, you look beautiful in as well.”
You shook your head, heat rushing your face, “Thank you.”
The menu wasn’t extravagant, but it didn’t need to be. Frank looked at it as a formality probably. He looks like the kind of guy who knows what he wants. The kind of guy who orders the same thing every day. You think about Billy for a second, aware of the new turn the night has taken.
All of a sudden, a new song starts playing over the speakers, you, suddenly very aware of the music “I love this song!”
Frank smiled as you began humming along to Dancing in the Moonlight, your head bopping along to the beat.
From his spot, he extended a hand. Your brow immediately raised, “What’re you doing?”
“Asking you to dance with me.”
You smiled, a teasing edge to your voice, “Who said I wanted to dance with you?”
Frank feigned hurt, turning to look behind him before continuing, “Well, you can’t say no to me now. We’ve got an audience.”
Glancing around the nearly empty diner, you noticed a teenage couple had taken note of the two of you, as well as the waitress. You smiled, taking Frank’s hand and chuckling as he spun you around.
The two of you danced for the duration of the song as if in your own bubble, you pressed up to his chest, one hand in his and the other between his shoulder blades. It was so oddly personal so fast, but it didn’t feel wrong. You closed your eyes and relished in his scent, feeling his warmth and the callouses where his fingers met his palms. The song seemed shorter than you remembered, and the two of you sat back down much sooner than you would have liked.
A small chorus of applause came from the young couple, the waitress having gotten bored with your uneventful dancing. She’s probably telling her coworkers about the couple who came in and danced before they ordered anything. You flashed Frank a grin, “Thank you. You know, for tonight. It means a lot.”
“Nah, I should be thanking you. If you hadn’t walked into that bar, I would’ve been stuck there all night with Bottle Bob.”
“Bottle bob?” You questioned, raising a brow.
“He’s a blast. He steals the beer bottles off tables when people get up to go to the bathroom.
Sometimes just when they look away. Very risque.”
You laughed, shaking your head, “Maybe I should’ve invited Bottle Bob out. He sounds like a good time.”
He chuckled, “Next time.”
“Next time?”
Leaning forward across the table, he grinned, “Well yeah, you can’t just leave me hanging.”
You leaned in yourself, leaving only a little space between the two of you, “I can’t?”
“Nope. It’d be rude. Besides, you’ve still got to make up giving me your sour hopes and dreams.”
Your gaze flicked between his lips and his eyes, “I can think of a few other ways to do that.”
tag list (respond to post or send ask to be added!):
Here’s a throwback to last year with my freehand graphite drawing of @abigailspencer Hopefully it brings a little sunshine to your corner of the globe today! ❤️ @abigailspencer . . . #abigailspencer #timeless #gallery #art_spotlight #madmen #clockblockers #thismeanswar #inspiration #arts_help #art #artist #wcw #artwork #artfido #creative #draw #artcollective #drawing #freehand #graphite #instaart #pencil #artistsoninstagram #portrait #pencildrawing #sketch #fanart #etsy #artistic #jjdart https://www.instagram.com/p/CFxi_tdnHLA/?igshid=k1901mpilgyz
Even in a simple card game, Sabrina will get competitive. #outtamymind #webcomics #thismeanswar #sportysabrina #anatasia #adriana #lindsay #cardgame https://www.instagram.com/p/B0JSbgihIKd/?igshid=bnrsuwp2pdrs
Summary: Two top CIA operatives wage an epic battle against one another after they discover they are dating the same woman (based on the movie)
Word count: 1,042
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry haven’t written in a while, been in a rut but today felt nice to write so I’m here lol. Hope you enjoyed a little reminder that I’m still writing this story.
⚠️Warnings⚠️ : Kissing, mentions of death, not torture but like interrogation
This Means War (Masterlist)
@ Headquarters
"A tranq dart! Really?! 3 inches over and I would've been dead!" Bucky argued with Steve in the elevator.
"Actually, four." Steve corrected him. "okay?"
Bucky glared and turned to step out of the elevator, Steve had the same idea and they bumped the walls before taking turns out.
"You neanderthal." Bucky mumbled under his breath.
"Morning sirs." The intern from the front desk greeted them.
"Shut up Loki." They both answered.
"I cannot believe you didn't trust me!" Bucky glared at Steve exasperated.
"Hey!" He stopped and turned to Bucky. "You were listening to Sade. Now we both know what happens when you Sade." He poked his chest.
"She's an incredible singer!" He defended.
"Indeed, she is, but your hormones start going and your turn into Captain happy pants." Steve argued back.
"Captain wha-?" He scoffed.
"And might I remind you, you flooded my apartment first!" He poked Bucky's chest again.
"I was afraid the candles were a fire hazard." He said matter factly.
"No, no, no. You were worried that the thing getting fired up was (Y/N), wasn't it?" Steve said. "honestly James." He shook his head and walked off.
"Right!" Steve walked into the interrogation room and took off his jacket. "Now i have very serious anger issues today, Grant, so I would appreciate it, if you'd do me the courtesy of answering all my terrible boring questions honestly." Steve pointed at him with a pair of pliers.
Bucky chuckled. "Really? The pliers again?"
"Yes the pliers, again." Steve glared at Bucky.
"Predictable, Sade and boring yet again." He glanced at Grant who was just staring at them confused.
"Why don't you tickle his feet until he talks, with your teeny, tiny jazz hands?"
Grant chuckles as Bucky takes an annoyed breath.
"Where is Schmidt? Brother." Steve threatens Grant with the pliers pointed at his face.
"Sooner or later, he's gonna be coming to you, brother." He smirked. "You're going To die." He whispered to Steve then turned to Bucky. "Don't worry, you're next."
On the opposite side of town an old evil steps onto the LA harbor port.
"Welcome boss, everything is ready."
Schmidt smirks. "Then lets go."
You and Bucky walk up the driveway to his family’s house. The little boy twirling with a bucket on his head Trips falling over.
“Oh gosh.” You walk over to help.
“No no, just let him do his thing.” Bucky chuckled.
“Oh okay...” you smiled and walked up to the door letting Bucky knock.
“Oh, hello.” Nana opens the door.
“Uh, Nana, this is (Y/N). (Y/N) this is my grandmother Nana.” Bucky introduces.
“So, you’re the girl who’s been putting up with James.” She smirked.
“Mm-hm.” You nodded.
“Uh, I brought pie.” Bucky held up the pie to Nana.
“Yeah, well, you know where the kitchen is. (Y/N) and i have a lot to talk about.” She grinned and took your hand leading you away from Bucky.
Bucky watched you walk off and took a breath before walking in and closing the front door.
Nana led you out to the horse stables. “Oh, this is beautiful.” You smiled walking in. You looked to the side and saw a bunch of family pictures. “Oh is this Bucky?” You chuckled seeing his old kid photos dressed as Superman. “A unibrow? Wow it went all the way around his head.”
“I know, he was so cute.” Nana chuckled and greeted one of the horses. “Hiya dot.”
“Who are these people?” You asked seeing another section of pictures.
“Oh, those are his parents. They died when he was nine.”She said softly.
“Oh I’m so sorry, he never told me that.”
“Yeah, I’m a car crash. They were going out to dinner one night, and, um well, he’s never been quite the same. He has a hard time trusting people. But he must trust you, because you are the first girl he’s ever brought here.” She smiled softly.
“I have a hard time trusting people, too...” You nodded understandingly.
Later dinner was filled with laughter over stories of when Bucky was younger.
“He had the biggest blue eyes, like marbles, which almost made up for the bed wetting.” Nana laughed.
Bucky sighed. “Nana, we don’t... we really don’t need to talk about that right now.”
“Oh, we really do.” You giggled looking up at him.
“No, no, no, no, no.” He shook his head.
“No we should.” You grinned at Nana as Bucky kept protesting.
“He wore that Superman costume everywhere. You wouldn’t believe the smell.” She laughed.
Bucky squeezes his eyes shut from embarrassment.
“Sometimes he took it too seriously, how were we to know he thought it would help him fly. He jumped off the roof!”
“Oh no!” You grinned up at Bucky.
Bucky laughed. “I was given misinformation, okay? We all make mistakes.. that was just one of mine.”
“Ah yes, but remember James, there are no mistakes. “ nana smiled.
“To no mistakes.” You raised a glass.
Everyone raised their glass and repeated clinking their cups.
You smiled at Bucky and took a sip.
Later you and Bucky walked up the steps to your house.
“Okay, But Wearing dresses?” You chuckled.
“I was only wearing them because I thought they were capes!” He chuckled and stopped at your door to look at you.
“I had a really nice time tonight.” You smiled.
“Me too.” He smiled honestly.
“I like the guy with the unibrow and the braces,” Bucky chuckled. “Actually, I might like him more than I like you.” You teased.
“Mm, he likes you too.” He chuckled slightly embarrassed.
You both stare at each other for a bit. “I should, I should go..” Bucky blushes.
“Yeah..” You nod slightly
“I should be a gentleman..”
“Well, the good news is, I’m no gentleman.” You grinned opening the door and grabbing his tie pulling him in for a kiss as you took off his jacket.
“Uh, oh... this is not good.” One of Steve’s men watching them on the surveillance.